The last time Nate Diaz was in the Octagon was back in UFC 202 when he fought Connor McGregor for the second time. It was a back and forth dogfight between Diaz and McGregor,With McGregor winning the early exchanges and dropping Diaz a few times, but Diaz showed heart and his unbelievable cardio and came back to win the later rounds. McGregor walked away with the victory in the end. At the Time It was UFC's Biggest PPV ever, Both McGregor and Diaz made Alot of money, It was voted one of the greatest fights of all time. So what was next for Diaz after the McGregor fight? well, nothing. literally.
Nate Diaz after UFC 202 went completely Nomad, No fight interested him, he continues to say that he won the fight with McGregor and Blamed the UFC for favouring McGregor over him. Just like that Diaz was gone. He sat out and in a way "quit" the UFC. He would go onto do his own things and pursue different goals. With Fans always wondering and asking when is Nate Diaz coming back to the octagon, those questions would go unanswered. His Stardom would not fade at all, but with the long Hiatus from the UFC, The divsion and the company moved on.
Now It has been Three years since Nate Diaz has stepped into the octagon, but now we don't have to wait any longer, As Nate diaz returns at UFC 241 to face Former UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis. The Fight was announced earlier this year and immediately fans where excited that Diaz will finally step back into the cage, but also will we see the same Nate Diaz as before? Three years away from the fight game might as well be Ten years.
Alot has changed since Diaz has last fought.
What will a win over Anthony Pettis mean to Nate Diaz? Well its actually quite simple, If Diaz returns after three years and defeats Pettis, Diaz has all the cards in his hand. He could demand to face the winner of Khabib/Dustin, he Could spark a potential Third fight with McGregor, More Big Fights that he wants and of course Bigger pay days.
That's what a win for Diaz means, he wants everything that he has said 'Has been taken away from him'. He feels that the UFC should promote him more, Give him the fights he wants, the money he deserves, He is one of the most recognized Fighters in the Sport and Beyond and Diaz knows this. A win for Nate Diaz could change everything in the UFC and open up so many potential fights in the future.
I can not wait to see Nate return, I'm actually excited and also nervous for this fight. A win for Nate would be huge, but a loss could set him back and even out the door of the UFC for good.
Marc
Meepmma/52ndmma
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